We explored the possibility of publication bias using the funnel plot (Figs 5–7) as well as the Egger's and Begg's statistical tests. Based on Figs 5 and 6, the studies are scattered nearly symmetrically on both sides of the horizontal line indicating no evidence of publication bias in the studies reflecting the association between AUD and suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. The results of Egger's and Begg's tests confirmed this issue and revealed no evidence of publication bias among the studies addressing the association between AUD and suicidal ideation (P = 0.740 and P = 0.805) and suicide attempt (P = 0.363 and P = 0.125), respectively, As shown in Fig 7, studies are scattered asymmetrically on both sides of the horizontal line reflecting evidence of publication bias among the studies addressing the association between AUD and completed suicide. The Egger's test was statistically significant (P = 0.008), but the Begg's test was not (P = 0.477).
